The rolling green hills and deep ravines of Crowder State Park provide 1,912 user-friendly acres where visitors can camp, picnic, hike - or just take it easy. The camping area includes modern restrooms and showers, a dumping station and a laundromat. Picnic sites are located throughout the park and swimming, boating and fishing are offered in the 18-acre Crowder Lake in the center of the park.

Crowder State Park is the perfect park for the visitor who wants to escape the pace of city life and enjoy the outdoors in a relaxing, peaceful environment. Much of the park is covered with thick forest that displays a diverse population of trees, plants and flowers. Many types of wildlife - including deer, raccoons and wild turkeys - also make their homes in the forests of Crowder State Park.

Crowder State Park is a commemorative park dedicated to the memory of Maj. Gen. Enoch H. Crowder, one of several important American military leaders who was nurtured in the hills of northern Missouri.

Meeting Rooms

An enclosed shelter overlooking Crowder Lake is perfect for large family gatherings, reunions or receptions. Shelter occupancy is approximately 60 guests. The shelter is fully furnished and equipped with a restroom, sink, stove, refrigerator, heater and fireplace. The shelter is available April through October and reservations can be made up to nine months in advance. For reservations, please call (660) 359-6473.

Camping

Crowder State Park offers basic and electric campsites, a group camp and a special-use camping area. Services include a dump station, showers, water and reservable sites.

For reservations, there is a required minimum stay for weekends and major holidays from May 15 through Sept. 15. Reservations can be made for stays during the on-season (April through October).

The use of generators is prohibited in the campground, unless approved by the park manager. Special consideration will be given for use of generators relating to customer health and safety.

Great fishing opportunities exist at Crowder Lake. The 20-acre lake abounds with channel catfish, largemouth bass, crappie and blue gill, and is available to the public during park hours. No gas-powered motors are allowed.

There are two playground facilities -- one is located in the campground and the other is by shelter house #1. Two open picnic shelters are available for reservation at a rate of $30 per day. If not reserved, the shelters are available daily on a first-come, first-served basis at no charge. One enclosed shelter is available by reservation only at a rate of $40 per day. The enclosed shelter is fully furnished for events such as receptions and reunions, and is equipped with a restroom, sink, stove, refrigerator, heater and fireplace. Reservations can be made up to nine months in advance. All three shelters are equipped with outdoor grills. Crowder State Park also has 25 picnic areas throughout the park that are available to visitors daily.

Trails

Crowder State Park has four trails used for a variety of recreational purposes.

River Forks Trail runs along the Thompson River for one and a half miles and is used for hiking and bicycling.

Thompson River Trail follows the river for roughly eight miles and permits equestrian use in addition to hiking and bicycling.

Tall Oaks Trail is used for hiking and bicycling and is four miles long.

Redbud Trail permits hiking only and runs approximately two miles.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews

June 4great place in nw mo by marvin & bernita

We love driving through all winter. The trails are well kept for hiking. Well done missouri. Thank you!

From Kansas City : Crowder State Park is approximately 90 minutes from Liberty. Take I-35 north about 57 miles to Exit 61. Travel east on Hwy. 69/6. Turn north/left onto Hwy. 146, about two miles west of Trenton. Follow Hwy. 146 about one mile then turn right onto Hwy. 128 to enter the state park.

From St. Joseph : Take Hwy. 6 east to Hwy. 146, approximately two miles west of Trenton. Turn north/left onto Hwy. 146 and continue for one mile to Hwy. 128. Hwy. 128 will take you into the state park.

From Kirksville : Take Hwy. 6 west through the town of Trenton. Approximately two miles west of Trenton, turn north/right onto Hwy. 146 (the first blacktop road) and continue for one mile to Hwy. 128. Hwy. 128 will take you into the state park.

From Des Moines, Iowa : Take I-35 south to Exit 84 for Route H. Travel east on Route H to Hwy. 146. Turn right/south onto Hwy. 146. Hwy. 146 takes a sharp left at Gilman City shortly after the intersection with Route H. Continue on Hwy. 146 until reaching Hwy. 128. Turn left/north onto Hwy. 128 to enter the state park.

From Marshall/Princeton : From either location, take U.S. Hwy. 65 to Trenton. At Trenton, turn west onto Hwy. 6. Approximately two miles west of Trenton, turn right/north onto Hwy. 146 and continue for one mile to Hwy. 128. Hwy. 128 will take you into the state park.